Roy Carroll reckons this season will still be a disappointing one for Manchester United even if they go on to defeat Millwall in the FA Cup final on May 22.

Carroll played a major role in the Old Trafford outfit's 11th successive semi-final win as Paul Scholes drove home the only goal against Arsenal at Villa Park.

The victory keeps alive Man U's hopes of landing some silverware from a campaign that spiralled downhill disastrously after the turn of the year, ending their Champions League dream and any hope of retaining their Premiership title.

Yet with their major aims for the season already written off, Carroll believes a first cup final win at the Millennium Stadium would be scant consolation for a club who are expected to do much better.

"We had to win on Saturday to have any chance of lifting a trophy this season, so in that sense we have got what we wanted," said the 26-year-old Northern Ireland international.

"There was also a bit of extra motivation because Arsenal were going for the treble and now we know our season will end with the kind of big game we all like to play in.

"After winning the Premiership last year, it would be nice to get another medal, but I think we would still regard it as a disappointing season."

After signing from Wigan for £2.5m in 2001, Carroll has spent most of his Red Devils career as an able deputy, first to Fabien Barthez and then to summer arrival Tim Howard.

However, he has remained patient and when Howard suffered a dip in form that coincided with the Red Devils' stunning collapse, Carroll took his chance.

"I am the man in possession just now but I know it could all change next weekend," said Carroll, who in 24 Premiership and FA Cup games for the Old Trafford outfit has yet to be on the losing side.

"I have never doubted I am good enough to be first choice here but I do accept the move from the Second Division to the biggest club in the world is a big one and I have had to bide my time.

"When I first came, Fabien Barthez was here and doing really well. Then Tim signed in the summer and he was equally good.

"Now the gaffer has given me my chance and hopefully I have impressed enough to keep my place on Saturday."